self injecting - good news from GP surgery

[bambuko]

Just had a call from the nurse to tell me that I will have a training session at my next injection appointment to teach me how to self inject.

It's rare, I know, for GP to support this kind of stuff, so I am very happy.

There is hope...

[ellj]

Fantastic news, if only they all had the understanding or sense to do this.

[bambuko in reply to ellj]

I am still shaking, because to be honest I expected a call about B12 injections being denied (due Covid) like so many reported here.

So, I was rather surprised...

[clivealive Forum Support]

Hi bambuko

I'm hoping for the same facility being extended to me next Monday after 48 years of being told "no - you can't self inject!" That;s if my surgery manages to remain open until then.

I wish you well

[bambuko in reply to clivealive]

Hi clivealive

If I was a cynic I'd be convinced that their willingness to reconsider (previously denied) option of self injecting is probably to do with their desire to get the likes of ourselves out of the way in the current covid crisis

Like yourself I am facing anxious wait until my appointment on the 14th of April

I will only believe it is true when it is actually happening...

[Sleepybunny]

Hi,

I'm pleased that you're going to be shown how to self inject. Your GP surgery must be more enlightened than some are.

[bambuko in reply to Sleepybunny]

Hi Sleepybunny,

Yes, I am lucky.

My old GP was fine chap who was looking after me for 27 years.

He was meant to retire at the end of March - guess what he is not retiring now...

My new GP is fresh from school and turning out to be even more sensible and helpful.

Let's hope my luck continues

[Nackapan]

That's good. Are theh teaching you how to do a IM injection?

Will be do much better than hoping te surgery will stay open

Hope it goes well

[bambuko in reply to Nackapan]

Hi Nackpan,

that's what they have been giving to me (i.e. IM injection) so I don't see them teaching me anything else...

[Nackapan in reply to bambuko]

I just wondered as I was promised to be taught how to do subcutaneous but then it wasnt allowed. However I'm now going to get a prescription to sc at home . Also go for IM but less often .

Hope your training goes well

[Joey4]

My GP and Nurse taught me and my husband this last week. I was also given all the equipment i need for the next 12 weeks (I have injections on a three weekly basis). I was so pleased and relieved. Hope it goes well.

[Cherylclaire Forum Support]

I am so relieved that this is happening now !

This is obviously an ideal solution all round, and glad that nurses are spending valuable time on this handover - it means that some of the practices are recognising that injections for patients with B12 deficiency is essential treatment, but that with help, it can be done safely by us, and that their time (and PPE ) are probably best used elsewhere.

Best news I've heard in a while, and sets a useful precedent. Hopefully it will encourage others here to suggest that their practice do the same if injections cancelled.

[bambuko]

There seem to be two reactions at the moment:

knee jerk withdrawal of injections by some practices

and some (as you say) seeing the light

unfortunately the latter is still a minority

ignorance rules (after all doctors are humans as well)

[bambuko]

just an update:

had my session at the medical centre today

it took longer to get in with all the covid precautions, than it did for the injection training

she told me to do it in the thigh (after insisting in the past that it had to be arm...)

used blue needle for injection (bigger than the one they used for the arm)

total non-event

easy and painless

to anybody hesitating about self-injection

don't

just get on with it...